Earthtone9

T

he band Earthtone9 was a five-some of vegetarians who also avoided the dreaded drink; that second fact would later fall off the wagon.

Featuring the membership of Karl Middleton (vocals), Owen Packard (guitar), Joe Roberts (guitar), Dave Anderson (bass) and Simon Hutchby (drums), they would release their promising Lo-Def(inition) Discord album in 1998 on a £500 budget, which comprised songs from their three demos with a few new tracks added. Their harshest and noisiest recording, it quickly grabbed the attention of the British rock press, with favorable reviews.

After extensive touring... Off Kilter Enhancement (1999) followed. But it wasn't long before their clean cut ways were challenged with the press proclaiming their drug and drink habits, and Middleton's appearance at the Lost Weekend festival dressed in cling-film pants indicated to the press that the accusations were probably right when the news hit the pages, but Earthtone9 preferred to let their music speak for them with the release of the Hi-Point (2000) mini album. The album was again a critical success, but commercial recognition remained limited. But this time the band had more time and money to play with, the result was their classic sound emerged featuring harsh metal inspired by Helmet and Neurosis, mixed with soft textured moments and with arrangements like Tool. The harder riffing was in place again for the follow-up, Arc'tan'gent (2000).